HOLDERS LET IT SLIP

READING EVENING POST JUNIOR CUP

FINAL

Sandhurst Devels Reserves - 3 Marlow United Reserves - 1 (D Flint) (AET)

Marlow slipped to a surprise defeat at the hands of Sandhurst Devels Reserves at Newbury Town, denying them selves the opportunity of becoming the first team to retain the Junior cup in the process.

United began the game brightly and after withstanding a Sandhurst free kick in the first minute they took the game to their opponents.

Wide man Harry Pritchard was prominent in much of Marlow’s attacking play with full back Wayne Murphy forming a good partnership down the left.

United gained several corners and Dan Flint forced a save from keeper Ball from one of these.

Sandhurst began to enjoy a greater amount of possession with Mossom and Gooch prominent up front.

Centre halves Benyon and Crawford were both kept busy, but as with United Sandhurst rarely tested custodian Dave Martin.

HT 0-0

The Devels took the lead on 47 minutes when a cross from United’s left was half cleared by Martin and as the ball came back into the area Gooch was on hand to poke home from close range despite Marlow’s desperate attempts to clear the ball.

United up the tempo as they looked for the equaliser, Pritchard and Flint both being involved with much of the forward play.

They finally scored on 71 minutes with Pritchard breaking down the left, his cross being met by Dan Flint who found the net from 8 yards.

Instead of pushing on Marlow allowed Sandhurst to gain the upper hand as the division two side pressed for the winner.

As it was Marlow should have sown up the game on 90 minutes when a through ball found Greg Murphy on side and clear of the Sandhurst defence only for the Marlow forward to waste the opportunity by firing the ball across face of the goal, summing up his disappointing performance on the day.

A final corner from Pritchard was punched against his own bar by Ball as Marlow watched their last opportunity slip away.

FT

1-1

Sandhurst looked the fitter team in the extra period although Dan Flint saw his header thump against the post following good work from Dan Carvell and Pritchard.

Almost immediately Sandhurst took the lead, a throw from the right drifting across the goal where Kenward scored on 107 minutes.

The Devels sealed the game on 113 minutes with a quick break, Gooch scoring his second, converting the cross with a volley.

Marlow had the ball in the net shortly after only for the referee to bring play back and award a free kick to United on the touch line!

FT 1-3

Team

Martin, Carvell, Benyon, Crawford, W Murphy, Webb, Lynch, Gayton, Pritchard

G Murphy, Flint.

Subs M Giana for Webb 45 minutes

R Camden for Gayton 94 minutes

D Mitchell for Carvell 108 minutes

Goal

Dan Flint 71 minutes

Scores

D Martin  6

D Carvell  6

S Benyon  7

R Crawford  6

W Murphy  7

J Webb  5

P Lynch  6

A Gayton  6

H Pritchard  7

G Murphy  4

D Flint  8

Subs

Giana  6

Camden  6

Mitchell  6

 Man of the Match

DAN FLINT